What amplifier would you purchase for $2000, used or new?

Nuance · « **on:** 29 May 2010, 02:45 pm »

I am finally in a position to ditch my filler amplifier and give my speakers the juice they deserve. I've sifted through the Audio magazines "professional" reviews and have tired of the BS. Now I turn to the audio community here at AC. If you had $2000, which amplifiers would make the top of your listed and why? I'd prefer to stick to SS, as I feel it offers better bass control, but I won't rule out a solid tube amp. I'd also like at least 200 watts per channel, and this will only need to be a 2-channel amp (more is welcomed, though). However, if the amp is a tank, I'd be willing to lower the wattage rating a bit, and if its tubes I understand that amount of power is too much to ask for within my price range.

I will, of course, head out and audition everything I can, but with a piece of equipment like an amplifiers I feel the only real way to audition them is in my own system over an extended period of time.

Some amps that pique my interests:

Parasound Halo A21
McCormack DNA-225
Bryston 4B-SST
Odyssey Audio Stratos series

If I had more funds I'd go Bryston (new), Ayre or Audio Research, but right now $2000 is my max. Please fire away with recommendations.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 May 2010, 02:55 pm »

I've a pair of CIA-D200 mono amps I'll sell for $1550.00 plus shipping. They are rated at 200W each. Original shipping boxes and packing. Look like new. Also the Volex power cords that Dusty recomends for these amps.

cheers
Charlie

bummrush · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 May 2010, 03:10 pm »

Coda,Bryston,Innersound,Legacy,Van Alstine,because all these companies have stood the test of time,,also made in America's,and all would be exceptional sound.Legacy doesnt make amps anymore i dont think but used ones pop up and can be checked out and brought to spec if needed at the Coda fac.

mfsoa · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 May 2010, 03:18 pm »

Maybe PM Tommy (ampdesigner333; Digital Amplifier Co) and see if he has any demos available?

-Mike

batmanslc2 · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 May 2010, 03:44 pm »

Bel Canto e. One M300 Mono Power Amplifier

Wyred amps

srb · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 May 2010, 03:56 pm »

Virtue Audio ICEBlock M5001 Monoblocks
- B&O 500ASP modules with Gary Dodd Tube Buffer input
- 250W @ 8ohm / 500W @ 4ohm
- perhaps one of the best input implementations for an ICE amp
- cool running and efficient

Steve

bummrush · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 May 2010, 04:26 pm »

Virtue might have a 30 day return policy,,some only have 2 weeks which isnt near enough to figure out if you like this kind of amp,,,most people are bowled over at first with these kinds of amps, ice amps ,chip amps,etc,its in the long term you find out if they are for you ,thats one way way they are different right there its a little easier to find out with basic ss amp if you like it ir not in a shorter time frame

Nuance · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 May 2010, 04:30 pm »

Great suggestions guys - keep 'em coming. Any class A/B recommendations?

pardales · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 May 2010, 04:32 pm »

Lots of good recommendations above......try to demo in your system if at all possible. Many, many choices and some of the best there are--AVA, DAC, Virtue, and others--are right here on AC.

bummrush · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 May 2010, 04:36 pm »

Yes the Wyred at 2k might be awesome,thats one i'd love to hear ,my how time flies, i think it been 3 yrs already since i had my ice amps.

K Shep · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 May 2010, 04:40 pm »

Vincent - SP-331MK Hybrid Stereo Power Amp - http://www.vincent-tac.de/en/product-lines/powerline/sp-331mk.html

Specs:
Tube compliment: 2 x 6N16; 1 x 12AU7 Class A
Class A operation: 12 AU7 valve
12 Toshiba outputs per case, 1,000 watt transformer, 80,000 mF capacitance/channel

Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
Nominal Output Power RMS/8 Ohm: 2x 150W
Nominal Output Power RMS/4 Ohm: 2x 300W, Class A/8 Ohm: 2x 10W
Total harmonic distortion: < 0.1 % (1 kHz, 1 Watt)
Input sensitivity: 1,5V, Signal-Noise ratio: > 95 dB, Input impedance: 47 kOhm,
Inputs: 2 x RCA, Outputs: 4 x 2 Speaker Terminal (A & B), Mains supply: 230 V/50 Hz
Colour: black/silver, Weight: 22 kg, Tubes: 2 x 6N16, 1 x 12AU7

I think your friend may be able to get a great deal on this unit

srb · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 May 2010, 04:49 pm »

Quote from: Nuance on 29 May 2010, 04:30 pm

Great suggestions guys - keep 'em coming. Any class A/B recommendations?

I think one from your original list, the Parasound Halo A21, is a great Class A/AB choice for the money, particularly at the used ~$1400 price point.

Although some don't like the Class D amps, the A21 seems to be almost universally liked, and most people that sell theirs and upgrade usually end up with something at twice the price, like the Bryston.

Although I haven't heard the Vincent, I have admired their clean interior and robust construction, but my mind just won't accept non-socketed soldered in tubes, even if they are low-power long-lasting input tubes.

Steve

HAITIMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:08 pm »

How about the Emotiva XPA-2
Pair it with the USP-1 preamp

Sets you back around 1400 beans with shipping.

I haven't heard any Emotiva products, but maybe someone who has can chime in.

Derek

K Shep · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:25 pm »

Quote from: HAITIMAN on 29 May 2010, 05:08 pm

How about the Emotiva XPA-2
Pair it with the USP-1 preamp

Nuance owns an Emotiva LPA amp.

electricbear · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:28 pm »

used amps by Edge, MBL and Electrocompaniet.

K Shep · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:32 pm »

Quote from: srb on 29 May 2010, 04:49 pm

Although I haven't heard the Vincent, I have admired their clean interior and robust construction, but my mind just won't accept non-socketed soldered in tubes, even if they are low-power long-lasting input tubes.

Steve

srb,

The tubes are soldered in place? If you said it, it must be so. Thanks for the heads up. So the best bet to replace a tube is learn to solder or send the unit to the manufacturer?

HAITIMAN · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:33 pm »

Quote from: K Shep on 29 May 2010, 05:25 pm

Nuance owns an Emotiva LPA amp.

and?

golfugh · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:33 pm »

Nuance

I'm partial to the Odyssey's on your list but I'd take a look at the Butler TDB 2250.

If I was looking for a new amp, this would be on my list. Lonewolf has them and can provide some more info if needed.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1278542949&/Butler-TDB-2250-

Mark

highfilter · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:39 pm »

I recommend the Cherry Jr. from the Digital Amplifier Company. http://www.digitalamp.com/cherryjr.htm

I just got mine a few weeks ago and I'm very impressed. The build quality is very solid and I never thought just changing the amplifier would improve the sound that much.

It puts out 380Wpc and is one of the best audio purchases I have made in a long time.

K Shep · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 May 2010, 05:42 pm »

Quote from: HAITIMAN on 29 May 2010, 05:33 pm

and?

I'm sorry HAITIMAN, perhaps I'm out of line assuming the OP would like to experiment with another amp manufacturer. I'll let the OP answer for himself.

Unless you're looking for a fight.